Hawaiian Dragon Eel
- Thread starter VolklSpartan
- Start date
save your money they are expensive but cool i would love one but have other things my my money is going to
Just so you know, incase you didn't already, they are saltwater. I'm just pointing that out cuz you posted this in a freshwater forum. But, they are nice looking eels. Personally I like the Japanese Dragons better. They look almost the same, but have a different color pattern.
Welcome to MFK!!!
The hawaiian and japanese dragon eels are the same species and just regionally color polymorphic.
Have a good strong cover on the tank with ALL gaps plugged or the eel will roam. These eels are the 'grail' for moray keepers and their price tag reflects this. The average cost is over $1,000 for these eels and the best price I've seen this year is $800 for a 12" juvie. Here's a bit of info on them:
Dragon Eel
(Enchelycore or Muraena pardalis) Profile
by your About Guides to Saltwater Aquariums
Debbie and Stan Hauter
* Other Common Names: Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel, Leopard Moray Eel.
* Hawaiian Names: Pu-hi a-o, Pu-hi 'o-'a, Pu-hi we-la, and Pu-hi kauila.
* Scientific Name: Enchelycore pardalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1946).
* Previous Name: Muraena pardalis.
* Dateline 11/98: After visiting Richard L. Pyle's Dragon Eel page we inquired with him as to the difference in the name Enchelycore pardalis he shows for this Eel, compared to the Muraena pardalis name that the Fishes of Hawaii book, our Hawaii Fish Collections Report, and other Net resources refer to it as. He said that it used to be in the genus Mureana, but that it was changed about 10 years or so ago to the genus Enchelycore. The Fishes of Hawaii book says that other names this eel appears as in books include Muraena lampra (Jenkins, 1903), Muraena kailuae (Jordan & Evermann, !903), and Muraena kauila (Jenkins, 1903), all of which Richard says are incorrect. Richard is an Ichthyology Collections Technician with the Bishop Museum in Hawaii (1990 to present). He is an expert in the field of Fish Studies in the Indo-Pacific region.
* Distribution: Extends from Hawai'i to southern Japan, and southward to central Polynesia, or the Indo-Pacific region.
* Size: To an average length of about three feet (36 inches).
* Minimum Tank Size Suggested: Smaller specimens 55 gallons; larger specimens no less than 75 gallons.
* Habitat: Predatory bottom dweller that requires plenty of shelter for hiding.
* Identification: This eel is one that cannot be mistaken for any other. With its bright yellow, orange-red, black and white coloration's, unusual patterns on the body, the sharp pointed head and the distinctive horns above the eyes, it is a one of a kind Eel. As you can see from the photos, this Eel does go through some different color and pattern changes as it grows into maturity.
* Characteristics & Compatibility: The Dragon Eel is a very aggressive species, has a mouth full of large sharp teeth, and the bottom jaw cannot close because it is curved. It is an escape artist and is prone to getting out of an aquarium that has an open top. This is is difficult to keep this with other fish, inverts and marine life due to its aggressivness and predatory nature. It is best kept in an aggressive species tank community with other larger predatory fish like Triggers, Puffers, Snappers, Groupers, Hawks, and Lionfishes. It is best kept singly, or as a mated pair. Even though it has an aggressive nature, it is a shy creature and needs plenty of shelter. In the beginning the eel will hide and you may not see it very often, but once adapted to its surroundings it will usually stick its head out of its hiding place during daylight hours. Specimens that have become comfortable with their surroundings have been reported to even lay out in the open in full view at times.
* Diet & Feeding: The Dragon Eel is a carnivore that will try to eat anything it can get its mouth around. It is a hunter and prefers to dine on live foods, such as small fish, crabs, shrimps, and squids. In captivity it may be difficult to get this eel to eat at first, with larger specimens sometimes not eating for several months. Providing a live food sources may help to stimulate its natural feeding instincts. Once adjusted to tank life it may begin to accept strips of fish flesh, such as smelt, haddock, orange roughy, as well as squid, given to them on a feeding stick. Only feed it when it wants to eat, which may be a couple of times a week up to several weeks in between feedings, and then only feed it as much as it will consume at one time.
The hawaiian and japanese dragon eels are the same species and just regionally color polymorphic.
Have a good strong cover on the tank with ALL gaps plugged or the eel will roam. These eels are the 'grail' for moray keepers and their price tag reflects this. The average cost is over $1,000 for these eels and the best price I've seen this year is $800 for a 12" juvie. Here's a bit of info on them:
Dragon Eel
(Enchelycore or Muraena pardalis) Profile
by your About Guides to Saltwater Aquariums
Debbie and Stan Hauter
* Other Common Names: Hawaiian Dragon Moray Eel, Leopard Moray Eel.
* Hawaiian Names: Pu-hi a-o, Pu-hi 'o-'a, Pu-hi we-la, and Pu-hi kauila.
* Scientific Name: Enchelycore pardalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1946).
* Previous Name: Muraena pardalis.
* Dateline 11/98: After visiting Richard L. Pyle's Dragon Eel page we inquired with him as to the difference in the name Enchelycore pardalis he shows for this Eel, compared to the Muraena pardalis name that the Fishes of Hawaii book, our Hawaii Fish Collections Report, and other Net resources refer to it as. He said that it used to be in the genus Mureana, but that it was changed about 10 years or so ago to the genus Enchelycore. The Fishes of Hawaii book says that other names this eel appears as in books include Muraena lampra (Jenkins, 1903), Muraena kailuae (Jordan & Evermann, !903), and Muraena kauila (Jenkins, 1903), all of which Richard says are incorrect. Richard is an Ichthyology Collections Technician with the Bishop Museum in Hawaii (1990 to present). He is an expert in the field of Fish Studies in the Indo-Pacific region.
* Distribution: Extends from Hawai'i to southern Japan, and southward to central Polynesia, or the Indo-Pacific region.
* Size: To an average length of about three feet (36 inches).
* Minimum Tank Size Suggested: Smaller specimens 55 gallons; larger specimens no less than 75 gallons.
* Habitat: Predatory bottom dweller that requires plenty of shelter for hiding.
* Identification: This eel is one that cannot be mistaken for any other. With its bright yellow, orange-red, black and white coloration's, unusual patterns on the body, the sharp pointed head and the distinctive horns above the eyes, it is a one of a kind Eel. As you can see from the photos, this Eel does go through some different color and pattern changes as it grows into maturity.
* Characteristics & Compatibility: The Dragon Eel is a very aggressive species, has a mouth full of large sharp teeth, and the bottom jaw cannot close because it is curved. It is an escape artist and is prone to getting out of an aquarium that has an open top. This is is difficult to keep this with other fish, inverts and marine life due to its aggressivness and predatory nature. It is best kept in an aggressive species tank community with other larger predatory fish like Triggers, Puffers, Snappers, Groupers, Hawks, and Lionfishes. It is best kept singly, or as a mated pair. Even though it has an aggressive nature, it is a shy creature and needs plenty of shelter. In the beginning the eel will hide and you may not see it very often, but once adapted to its surroundings it will usually stick its head out of its hiding place during daylight hours. Specimens that have become comfortable with their surroundings have been reported to even lay out in the open in full view at times.
* Diet & Feeding: The Dragon Eel is a carnivore that will try to eat anything it can get its mouth around. It is a hunter and prefers to dine on live foods, such as small fish, crabs, shrimps, and squids. In captivity it may be difficult to get this eel to eat at first, with larger specimens sometimes not eating for several months. Providing a live food sources may help to stimulate its natural feeding instincts. Once adjusted to tank life it may begin to accept strips of fish flesh, such as smelt, haddock, orange roughy, as well as squid, given to them on a feeding stick. Only feed it when it wants to eat, which may be a couple of times a week up to several weeks in between feedings, and then only feed it as much as it will consume at one time.
They do have a striking appearance thats for sure. But yes they are $1,000 and good luck finding one. If I were spending that much on a fish I definatley would make sure I had one hell of a setup to house it in to insure prestine water conditions and a varied diet of fresh vitamin enriched seafood.
